A thousand memories for Zanetti

Javier Zanetti is delighted that his 1,000th game as a professional ended in Inter qualifying for the Coppa Italia Final.

The Argentine appeared in last night's 1-1 draw with Roma which allowed them to set up the May 29 date with Palermo.

"It was a moving evening," he stated. "I thank everyone, starting with my wife Paula and my children who were in the stands.

"Tonight's match, a special one but also a difficult one, was important in every sense and for that I can really celebrate.

"It was a difficult tie, as they always are against Roma, a team with players who can change the game. But we did very well to manage the match.

"We really wanted to win it and I think we deserved to go through to play Palermo in the Final.

"We were unable to wrap the tie up early, but we knew Roma would come back strongly looking for goals. We defended well."

It has been a tough season for Inter seeing as they replaced Rafael Benitez with Leonardo in December, before losing their Scudetto and Champions League crowns.

But the veteran has insisted that the Nerazzurri's season hasn't been as bad as many have perceived.

"It has been quite a positive campaign," he insisted. "We started by winning the Italian Super Cup and continued by winning the Club World Cup. Finishing with the Coppa Italia would really be beautiful."